WRITE-OFF. All three motorcycles were extensively damaged

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A multiple accident on the Maó to Fornells road on Saturday afternoon resulted in the death of two people and injuries to another two.

The tragedy occurred shortly before 1630 hrs. at kilometre 11.8 on the Me-7, the bend before the straight stretch leading to the petrol station (when heading towards Fornells), and involved three powerful motorcycles and a Seat Ibiza car which collided head on.

Two of the motorcyclists died at the scene, 25-year old J.A.G.P. from Sant Lluís and 33-year old J.M.O.P. from Maó. The third motorcyclist, 40-year old Sant Climent resident, J.L.P.C., was seriously injured and taken to the Mateu Orfila Hospital in Maó but was later reported as being in a stable condition following an operation on a broken kneecap.

The car driver, 63-year old T.B.A. suffered fractures to his sternum and foot but both he and his 61-year old passenger, M.S.V.J., who escaped without serious injury, were released from the Mateu Orfila on Sunday, after being kept in hospital for a night's observation.

The Guardia Civil, Policía Local and three ambulances were called to the scene of the accident, the impact of which was so fierce that two of the victims died on the spot, their bodies being removed from the scene in hearses.

Investigations into the cause of the accident are being carried out by the Guardia Civil but initial indications suggest that one or more of the motorcycles, which were heading in the direction of Fornells, may have crossed into the oncoming lane, which could have been due to excessive speed, lack of visibility, or a slippery road surface due to oil or the light rain which had just started, causing the head-on collision.

The Mayor of Es Mercadal, Francesc Ametller, was also called to the scene of the tragedy.